FRANK MERLESearch WILDsound  11 Questions with FRANK MERLE. A WILDsound SPRING 2009 Feature Screenplay Finalist 1. What is your screenplay about? In the tradition of Friday the 13th and Halloween comes a new nightmare-inducing scenario: five college friends are spending a weekend on a small farm, far from civilization, with no phone, no TV and no internet. When their car mysteriously breaks down, they realize they are trapped and at the mercy of the farm's owners, so seem content to let them stay stranded for the time being. But when one of the students disappears, the rest nervously search for answers, and begin to uncover a sinister plot designed to make them all stars of a bizarre stuff film, masterminded by a crazed beekeeper. 2. Why did you decide to write this screenplay? I love scary movies, and for me the best thrillers combine good character development and psychological horror with a bit of action violence and a fierce, memorable bad guy. So I just set out to write the kind of movie that I would want to watch. First, I dreamed up the killer... Since I'm scared of bees, he became a beekeeper. And the idea that a beekeeper's identity can be hidden under the mask he wears became intriguing for me. I wanted him to have a logical motivation for his actions (in his own mind, at least) and so I used the decline of the small family farm in our modern world as the reason he seeks out alternative income by making snuff films. Combining all these elements, I came up with a story that was both frightening and topical. 3. How long have you been writing screenplays? I went to college for play writing and directing, and earned a degree from the former Goodman School of Drama in Chicago. One of my first professionally produced plays was a crime drama called Criminality. The production was a hit, and an overwhelming number of people who saw it told me they would want to see it as a movie. This inspired me to adapt the script into a screenplay, and I discovered that it was liberating to not have to worry about stage mechanics when plotting out scenes. And since my writing always favored realism, it seemed that film was a natural fit. In fact, I enjoyed the process so much that I made the switch to screenwriting and never looked back. 4. What movie have you watched the most? I love any movie that combines genres in an elegant way. My favorite fun movie is Back to the Future, which offers action, adventure, sci-fi fantasy, wonderful characters, romance, a lot of comedy, a bit of drama and great music. 5. What artist in the industry would you love to work with? I would love to work with Wes Craven, who is responsible for two of the greatest horror franchises in the history of film: A Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream. 6. Who was your hero growing up? As a little kid, my hero was Harrison Ford. I learned at an early age from watching his films just what a movie star is, recognizing him as both Han Solo and Indiana Jones and understanding they were different characters. This gave me an appreciation for what a talented actor can bring to a project, and I soon sought out everything he was in, including movies I was probably too young for at the time. When I found out that he grew up in the same Chicago suburb as me, it gave me the inspiration to follow my dreams and pursue an entertainment career. 7. Ideally, where would you like to be in 5 years? Being able to make my living as a writer/director is my goal, and with several feature screenplays completed and a few awards for the short films I've made, I believe that goal is now within my reach. 8. Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for writing? Starting with a very basic plot outline, I determine who my main characters are, and they I flesh out those characters by creating complete profiles on their personalities and backgrounds. Once I feel that I have a good grasp on who these characters are, I drop them into the situation and see what happens. This way, I'm usually able to complete a first draft fairly quickly, as the characters inform their actions. For subsequent drafts, I rely on as much feedback from trusted sources as I can, since ultimately, I'm writing for the audience, not for myself. 9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about? I love learning new things and have an insatiable curiosity about human nature, which to me, is the whole point of film and storytelling in general. I of course enjoy sending time with my girlfriend, and not surprising, our favorite thing to do together is going to the movies! 10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Script Contest? As one of the few contests that offer feedback as well as the opportunity for a reading with industry professionals, it seems that WILDsound is truly interested in helping writers achieve success and exposure. 11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers? Everyone has an idea for a movie. But what makes someone a writer is not just having ideas, but rather the ability to fill 120 pages with a compelling narrative, and having the confidence to show it to others. I believe it is the fear of failure that stops most writers from completing their work, and so my advice is to ignore that fear, finish your first draft, show it others and be open to constructive criticism and rewrites, in order to achieve the best possible final product.
Frank Merle
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